Stop-Frame animation

ANIMATION ARTIST: JAN SVANkmajer's Alice (1988)

Is the film what you expected? How is it different?How do you think the White Rabbit is moving?What do you notice about the colours in the film?What do you notice about the noise?What is Alice like?How does the white rabbit make you feel, why?

stop-frame on the net

Your challenge

You are an Animation production Company.You will need to make a short animation on the theme of ‘Feelings of FreedomIt must be stop-frame animation and you must use physical objects. You have the option to use platercine which you can mould into anything you like, but you must bring this yourself. You may bring objects into the studio if we do not already have them.

You will need to build a proposal of your ideas before you can begin making the animation. This will include:

² A mind-map of your ideas² Prop List² Materials List² Storyboard

You will need to each take on a job role; some of you will need to take on two or even three if there are few of you in the group.

DIRECTOR – You will be in charge of the people in the group, you must make sure that everyone is busy at all times. When making decisions you will make the final decisions once discussing pros and cons with the group. You will discuss with the class what your group are doing and give reasons to why.

HEAD CHARACTER DESIGNER – It is your job to be in charge of designing and make the characters. You will control how the characters look or what they will be. You can instruct others to help you.

HEAD PUPPETIER – It is your job to move the objects/characters/props etc. You must have patients and show control and steadiness with your hands. You can also instruct others to help you if you think it will speed up the making.

HEAD SET AND PROP DESIGNER - It is your job to be in charge of designing and make the sets and props. You will control how they will look or what they will be. You can instruct others to help you.

HEAD AUDIO CONTROL – You must think about the noises that will be used in the animation and what music could be used. It is your job to gather or make these noises. If you need help then you can instruct others, if they are not busy to help you.

HEAD OF CAMERA – It is your job to keep the camera steady and take the shot. Consider zooms and unusual angles, Consider how many shots you will need to take and how smooth it will be.

EDITOR – It is your job to use computer software to edit your animation together. Remember you can begin editing whilst more pictures are being taken. Don’t forget to get the audio from Audio Control. You can loop images, play them backwards and create some really interesting results if you experiment with the software. You will also need to add a title and credits.

Good Luck Apprentices!!

Some Great student Examples

storyboard

​Graphic Novel ReviewIn your Sketchbook write the title and date. Complete the tasks below in your sketchbook.Task 1: Look through some graphic Novels. In your own words answer this question: What is a ‘Graphic Novel’?Task 2: Choose one Graphic Novel, write down its name, the publisher and the artists, then answer the following questions:

What does the layout of the page look like?

Why is it laid out like this?

How is movement shown?

How is sound shown?

What happens when the artist wants to show detail?

What colours are used?

What is unique about this particular Graphic Novel?

Task 3: Choose two interesting frames that illustrate the same feeling you want to express in your animation. Answer these questions:

What is the mood of this?

Why does it make you feel that way? – Talk about the colours, shadow and light, expressions, movement and sounds.

Task 4: Now draw these frames, add detail and if there is colour, add colour.

storyboard/comics strips

What grades would you give these and why?

practice

Set up a very basic set. 1. Find a floor and background and fix it in place2. Find some objects to animate3. Get you camera in place. Use a stand or use books with some well placed bluetack to angle and stop your camera from moving.4. Think about the lighting, do you have any unwanted shadows. Perhaps use some lamps

Take the photos Move the objects a little at a time and take the photosBECAREFUL: Don't take a photo of your handsMake sure the camera doesn't move and is in focusWatch out for shadowsUsing an iphone? Check that 'Live mode' is switched off

Edit1. Take the photos off of your device and load them onto your computer.2. Start up the editing software and import the photos.3. drag them into the timeline and change the playspeed to 0.2 seconds

now design your own for your animation

it's time to build

what will your set look like?

what will your characters look like?

editing software instructions

EXTENSION task

​LO: - To contribute and make suggestions toward the editing of the video -To use current stop-frame knowledge to build credits/titlesThe edited animation should be completed by the end of today’s class. Do not export until you have finished the credits Next lesson you will export and hand in your animation

ALL – Will make a positive contribution towards to the editing of the movieMOST – will use stop-frame to build credits/titlesSOME – Will Suggest creative ideas to draw credits and titles